Kingdom of Æthelmearc

Æthelmearc
Gules, an escarbuncle argent within a laurel wreath and in chief a coronet Or.
Information
Founded: A.S. XXXII Parent Kingdom: East King: Rurik Queen: Angelik
Modern location
West Virginia, Western & Central Pennsylvania, and Western & Central New York.

Having become a Kingdom in September A.S. XXXII, Æthelmearc is the fifteenth oldest in the Known World. Geographically it consists of West Virginia, Western & Central Pennsylvania, and Western & Central New York.

History

As with other kingdoms that were formerly remote parts of other realms, there was much resentment in some parts of Æthelmearc that the royalty of the East Kingdom rarely visited. There was also a certain amount of heat around the idea of Æthelmearc becoming a kingdom, perhaps because Æthelmearc is the site of the Pennsic War between the East Kingdom and the Midrealm. Eventually, the Pennsic Treaty was signed; Æthelmearc agreed not to interfere in the running of the event and the East and Midrealm agreed that Æthelmearc would be kept informed.

Other events held in Æthelmearc which are familiar to non-residents include the Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon, which features an arts and sciences pentathlon competition, and Æthelmearc War Practice, held on the same site as Pennsic.

Groups

Æthelmearc is home to Myrkfaelinn, the only Independent Dominion in the SCA. The Board of Directors ruled that they owed fealty to no king, as their charter mentioned the then-king of the East by name.

The Baronies of Æthelmearc include: Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, Barony of the Rhydderich Hael, Barony of Thescorre, Barony of Blackstone Mountain, Barony of St. Swithin's Bog, Barony of Delftwood, and Barony of the Endless Hills.

• Groups of Æthelmearc

Rulers

The King and Queen of Æthelmearc are chosen biannually in either the Spring Crown Tourney, held in May, or the Fall Crown Tourney, held in October. They are then crowned some months later at the Fall Coronation in September or the Spring Coronation in April respectively. All entrants in the Crown Tournament must be at least 21 years of age and have been a subject of Æthelmearc for at least one year. The tourney is usually fought as a double elimination tournament, although the format may be altered if there are 16 or fewer fighters in the list.

The current King and Queen of Æthelmearc are Malcolm MacEoghain and Tessa the Huntress.

• Past rulers of Æthelmearc

Events

Aside from crown tournaments and coronations, major events held by Æthelmearc are:

• Pennsic
• Twelfth Night
• Æthelmearc Academy
• The Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon
• Æthelmearc War Practice

Awards

Aside from the standard Society level awards Æthelmearc has three tiers of awards. The Orders of High Merit, which convey a Grant of Arms, the Orders of Merit, which convey an Award of Arms and the non-armigerous awards.

The awards given by Æthelmearc can be found on Mistress Jessa's excellent page. At the present time, her list does not include the as-yet-unnamed Order of Merit for Martial Authenticity, which is given for having an authentic appearance in fencing or heavy fighting lists, or on the archery range.

External Link

• http://www.aethelmearc.org